It is
time to say it: the two major parties hold a death grip on the American
people. Instead of representing the people, both the Republican and Democrat
parties are bought and paid for by special interest groups and multinational
corporations. Neither party pays any attention to the U.S. Constitution
but both are largely marching in lockstep toward bigger and bigger government.
Both Republicans and Democrats eagerly sacrifice what's good for the country
for what's good for the party. As they now exist, neither major party
deserves the support of patriotic Americans.

Furthermore,
blind allegiance to the two major parties has created a "lesser of two
evils" mindset that has warped the thinking and perverted the values of
otherwise good people. What people would never accept in any other venue
of society, they gladly and willingly accept from their chosen party's
candidates.

People
expect honesty and integrity from clergymen, bankers, doctors, businessmen,
realtors, journalists, and even used car salesmen. Those same people,
however, quickly tolerate and even excuse dishonesty and chicanery from
their chosen political party.

Ever
since George W. Bush became President of these United States, I have watched
in disbelief as my fellow Christian conservatives have not only looked
the other way as Bush repeatedly betrayed conservative/constitutional
principles, but have willingly and enthusiastically supported his apostasy.
Many of them are continuing to do the same thing by supporting the Big-Government,
pro-amnesty, pro-gun control, pro-100-year war, grubby candidacy of John
McCain. Good grief! Pat Robertson even endorsed the soiled candidacy of
the liberal cross-dresser, Rudy Giuliani.

It is
clear, therefore, that conservatives are more than willing to support
and defend someone they know to be unfaithful to both their oath of office
and to bedrock conservative principles. In other words, it does not matter
a whit to them whether their candidate tells the truth, obeys the Constitution,
or even demonstrates fidelity to the fundamental principles of liberty.
If he has an "R" behind his name, conservatives will support him.

However,
the same people who will justify dishonesty in the lives of their favored
party's politicians would never accept such conduct from anyone else.
Furthermore, many of these conservatives actually call themselves Christians;
many are preachers. They preach and teach the virtues of honesty and integrity
from the pulpit. They teach boys and girls to be honest and virtuous:
to put the principles of right above personal wealth or benefit. Then,
they turn around and support these lying politicians, many of whom are
fornicating, greedy, arrogant reprobates. What is even more amazing is
that they find no inconsistency with what they are doing.

In his
Farewell Address, our first and greatest President, George Washington,
eloquently lobbied the American people to guard against over-infatuation
with political parties. Anyone reading his warnings today will be impressed
with his insight and wisdom. Virtually everything he predicted has come
to pass. Blind loyalty to political parties has corrupted our public institutions,
blinded the hearts and minds of the American people, and opened wide the
door to undue foreign influence.

If everyone
who believes and teaches honesty and accountability would put it into
practice when they walk into the voting booth, we could put a stop to
this pathetic practice of electing dishonest and despicable people to
high public office. Instead of hiding their own character and integrity
under the bushel basket of party partisanship, voters could be proud of
the fact that they are actually helping to set the ship of state aright
by electing men and women of honesty and character.

Although
I do not share this opinion, many people believe Abraham Lincoln to be
one of America's greatest presidents (I think he was one of the worst).
Personal opinion aside, it is a fact that Lincoln's election and subsequent
influence upon this country was huge. Therefore, it is more than significant
to realize that Lincoln was first elected from a four-person race with
only 39% of the popular vote. Even more significant is the fact that at
that time the Republican Party was a minor party, having been formed only
a few years earlier. So much for the argument that a minor party cannot
win a major election.

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In practically
every Presidential election, there are candidates from a variety of independent
or "third" parties on the ballot. To ignore them merely because they are
not Republicans or Democrats is absurd. Furthermore, it is more than obvious
that the GOP will not tolerate principled candidates running for President.
The recent Presidential candidacies of Duncan Hunter, Tom Tancredo, Alan
Keyes, and Ron Paul make this abundantly clear.

While
it may still be appropriate to support state and local Republican candidates,
at the Presidential level, it is waste of time--and a wasted vote--to
support the establishment Republican candidates. They are all Big-Government
liberals. Yes, that includes Mike Huckabee.

I recommend
that people seriously consider voting for a Third Party candidate this
November. Start by taking a close look at the Constitution
Party.

The
Constitution Party (the third largest political party in America) has
a proven track record of fidelity to pro-life, conservative principles
and to constitutional government. I further believe it is time for principled
columnists and journalists such as Charley Reese to start encouraging
voters to support principled, independent candidates. The same goes for
leaders of the Religious Right such as Tony Perkins, James Dobson, and
Phyllis Schlafly. For them to continue to ignore good, independent candidates
only serves to strengthen and augment the two-party death grip.

It is
more than interesting that more people are currently registered as Independents
than either Republican or Democrat. But it is not enough to register as
an Independent, we must start voting Independent. Remember, the object
is to elect honest and honorable leaders for our country, not to promote
and protect the private agendas of the fat cats who control the two major
parties.

It increasingly
appears that the two major parties will force the American people to choose
between the fascistic John McCain or the Marxist Barack Obama. Is that
really the kind of choice we are willing to accept? Are we really content
to continue to vote the "party line," no matter what damage results?

Let's
face it, folks: the two major parties are strangling the life out of this
country. It is indeed a death grip. Something drastic must be done, and
it must be done NOW! Since it does not appear that either major party
is salvageable (at the national level), it is up to "We the people" to
take matters into our own hands. This means bypassing the mainstream press
and relying more on the Internet for our news and information. And it
means bypassing the two major parties and voting for Independent candidates
for President.

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If Michael
Bloomberg throws his hat in the Presidential ring, it will already be
a three-man race. A strong independent conservative contender would make
it a viable four-man race (just like 1860). At that point, anything could
happen. But first, we must awaken to the reality of the two-party death
grip, and then decide to do something about it. I am ready. How about
you?

*If
you enjoyed this column and want to help me distribute these editorial
opinions to an ever-growing audience, donations may now be made by credit
card, check, or Money Order. use
this link.

Chuck Baldwin is Founder-Pastor
of Crossroads Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida. In 1985 the church
was recognized by President Ronald Reagan for its unusual growth and influence.�

Dr. Baldwin is the host of a lively, hard-hitting
syndicated radio talk show on the Genesis Communications Network called,
"Chuck Baldwin Live" This is a daily, one hour long call-in show in which
Dr. Baldwin addresses current event topics from a conservative Christian
point of view. Pastor Baldwin writes weekly articles on the internet http://www.ChuckBaldwinLive.com
and newspapers.��

To learn more about his radio talk show please
visit his web site at: www.chuckbaldwinlive.com.
When responding, please include your name, city and state.

While
it may still be appropriate to support state and local Republican candidates,
at the Presidential level, it is waste of time--and a wasted vote--to
support the establishment Republican candidates. They are all Big-Government
liberals. Yes, that includes Mike Huckabee.